Michigan State's Final Four streak in the hands of seniors Keith Appling, Adreian Payne

Keith Appling and Adreian Payne have gone to three NCAA
tournaments in as many years during their Michigan State careers, including two
straight Sweet 16 appearances. Both the Spartans' leading scorer and rebounder are back for their senior campaigns, leading to preseason expectations that are naturally high.

So it's not as if the two aren't already accomplished, but
there is something missing -- a trip to the Final Four.

Never before has a four-year player under Izzo as a head
coach failed to reach a single Final Four, with Appling and Payne on the brink
of experiencing just that if the Spartans don't make it to Cowboys Stadium in
2014.

Izzo said he told Appling and Payne that he recalled the
last time the situation came about was in the 2008-09 season during Travis
Walton's senior year.

"That's all he talked about morning, noon and night," Izzo
said. "He didn't want to be a member of that group that broke the streak. It
meant more to him than it did to me because I understand that there's a lot
that goes into it. If the players take that much interest in it, our chances
triple."

Izzo said the Spartans were good enough to reach the Final Four last season before falling to Duke in the Sweet 16. He joked that it was on athletic director Mark Hollis, an NCAA tournament selection committee member for putting the Spartans in the same region as eventual national champion Louisville and Duke.

Ultimately, it'll be up to the players. Payne chose not to declare for the NBA draft so he could go for a national title and continue his growth as a 6-foot-10 forward. Appling is a point guard and team captain who wants to cut down the nets as well.

The Spartans, returning key underclassman starters in Gary Harris and Branden Dawson, will get the chance to keep the streak alive as others once succeeded in doing.

"As
everybody says, every record, every streak is made to be broken, but it's one
we've taken some pride in," Izzo said.